Former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton led an early voting event for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown on Thursday afternoon, but the visit didn't go quite as planned.

The event turned out to be part campaign speeches, part protests as Clinton got a surprise encounter with a group upset over immigration policy, 11 News reporter George Lettis said.

Advertisement

Appearing in what was not a packed Ritchie Coliseum at the University of Maryland, College Park, Clinton tried to convince as many Maryland Democrats as possible to promote the lieutenant governor to the big chair.

"He has what it takes to bring people together, to make it clear that you're supposed to be in public service to serve the public, not to be an ideologue," Clinton told the crowd.

Brown introduced Clinton as "Charlotte's grandmother," referencing her daughter, Chelsie's, recent birth, but before he did that, he recited his usual stump speech with promises about universal pre-kindergarten, ending domestic violence and going after his opponent.

"Are we going to wake up every day respecting and protecting a woman's right to choose, or do you follow Larry Hogan, who is going to limit, ban and deny every step of the way," Brown said.

Clinton's speech was repeatedly interrupted by protesters shouting at her from the crowd. About a dozen of them in various sections of the coliseum were escorted out with signs reading "Choose families over politics." It was a group upset over Washington's immigration policies and the deportation of undocumented immigrants who are parents of students who have protections under the DREAM Act.

"If they had just waited a little while, I was getting to the DREAM Act," Clinton said, and the crowd laughed. "I'm really proud to be in a state that has opened the doors of opportunity to students who work and study hard regardless of their parents' immigration status."

The protestors later told 11 News that their specific complaint is about a waiver they said the Obama administration is not giving to the parents of DREAM Act children, who worry their parents will get deported.

"It's just very difficult for our communities to be able to get legalized because if it was easy and we were able to do it, we would have done it. There wouldn't be this fight," said protester Deyanira Aldane, of the group United We Dream.

"We're asking for something on a national basis to be able to help out our parents so that my mom can go to the grocery store and not be deported," another protester said.

Meanwhile, Clinton paid her potential presidential primary opponent Gov. Martin O'Malley a compliment, playing off his musical talent. She said, "You've gotten the Legislature and the people to sing along for the past eight years, and the melody has been terrific."

Clinton canceled her appearance for Brown earlier this month so she could spend time with her new granddaughter. Former President Bill Clinton took her place.

Michelle Obama to rally for Brown Monday

The Clintons aren't the only big names to rally for Brown. President Barack Obama stumped for the candidate earlier this month, and his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, will hold a get-out-the-vote rally for Brown's campaign Monday at the War Memorial Building in Baltimore.

The event with the first lady is free, but those who want to attend have to reserve a ticket. Tickets will have to be picked up at any Brown-Ulman campaign office listed here between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. starting Friday.

Doors to the event open to the public at 2:30 p.m. Monday. Those who attend are strongly encouraged to either carpool or take public transportation.

On Sunday evening, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will appear in Maryland for Brown's opponent, Republican Larry Hogan. It will be Christie's fourth visit to the Old Line State to support Hogan in what polls indicate is a tight race.